Opening tool for paper cartons



Dec. 16, 1952 w J ROCERETA 2,621,549

OPENING TOOL FOR PAPER CARTONS Filed July 19. 1948 3 INVENTOR. WILLIAM JFame/257a Patented Dec. 16, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT OPENING TOOL FORPAPER CARTONS William J. Rocereta, Penn Township, Allegheny County, Pa.

Application July 19, 1948, Serial No. 39,521

1 Claim.

My invention relates to openers for sealed cartons in which liquidmerchandise such as milk are packaged and sold. Typical construction ofsuch cartons is shown in Patents 2,263,957 and 2,270,617. These cartons,which have come into general use in recent years, are usuallyrectangular-shaped bottles of impregnated cardboard or heavy paper,having a flat bottom and wedgeshape top formed by folding over andsealing together the lateral sides. An opening through which the liquidmay be poured is provided slightly above the liquid level, which isclosed by a depending flap overlapping the opening and sealed with waxor other liquid repellent material. A slight depression is provided inthe bottle below the lower edge of the wax whereby the thumb nail, aknife or other instrument may be introduced between the edge of the flapand the bottle in order to raise the flap. This operation is somewhatawkward as it requires the use of both hands and a careful steadying ofthe-carton when the seal breaks and the applied force is abruptlydissipated.

My opener consists of a guide channel defining a path along which thecarton may pass longitudinally, having therealong a tongue or bladeadapted to engage the flap which covers the opening, to break the flapfree of the carton wall and to deflect it to open position by a simplevertical stroke. Preferably, the opener is mounted in a fixed verticalposition, as by being fastened to a wall or bracket at some pointconveniently near the place where the liquid is to be used. The channelhas two lateral flanges spaced apart a distance slightly exceeding thewidth of a carton and preferably rounded at the edges so that the cartonmay be readily entered therein. The flanges may be convenientlyconnected by a continuous web, and the tongue may be stamped from theweb to extend inwardly between the flanges in the path of the flaps ofcartons passing along the channel, the entire opener being an integralpiece formed of sheet metal or plastic material, for example. However,it is obvious that the opener can readily be assembled of severalpieces, as two spaced flange members and a third piece constituting theblade or tongue, all being separately fastened in fixed relation to awall or supporting bracket suitably provided.

A preferred form of my opener is shown in the accompanyingdrawing, inwhich Fig. 1 is an isometric View of the opener and Fig. 2 is alongitudinal section on the line IIII of Fig. 1 with a typical cartonshown as it is being opened.

A preferred form of my opener is a channelshaped structure consisting ofa web I and two lateral flanges 2, having rounded edges 3. On the centerline of the web there is an inwardly extending tongue or blade 4 havinga curved tip 5 adapted to enter readily between the flap and carton wallon operative engagement and peel it loose from sealed closure over thecarton opening; and a pair of holes 6 by which the holder may besecured, as by nails or screws, to a Wall, bracket, or other suitablemounting in fixed convenient position. In Fig. 2, the carton 1 is shownas it is stroked downwardly through the channel, the tongue 4 of theopener raising the flap 8 uncovering the opening in the carton wall. Thechannel extends downwardly below the tongue 4 a substantial distance toguide movement of the carton and steady it during the opening operation.As the stroke is completed, the flap 8 is bent back upon itself abovethe uncovered opening, which is left clear for pouring contents from thecarton.

The curved tip 5 of the tongue is preferably tapered at its edge, thoughnot dangerously sharpened, to readily enter between the flap and cartonwall. The rounded extremities of the flanges 3, guide the carton intothe channel and provide a smooth and safe surface which cannot out orotherwise injure the hand of the operator holding the carton.

My opener requires no skill for its use. When mounted in fixed position,cartons may be opened entirely with one hand by means of a simplevertical stroke; and it is convenient for use of waitresses and otherserving patrons at dairy stores, lunch rooms, and the like. The openerhas a pleasing appearance, and the web I may be decorated withtrade-marks, slogans, or the like, advertising the liquid productsdistributed in the cartons on which it is used, as well as instructionsfor its use.

Although I have described but one example of my opener, it is understoodthat my invention includes such other embodiments and equivalents as areincluded within the scope of the following claim.

I claim:

Apparatus for lifting the sealing flap of liquidcontaining cartonscomprising generally parallel spaced guide flanges, a web joined to andspacing said flanges, and a tongue rigidly mounted on said websubstantially midway between said flanges so as to extend inwardly intothe space between said flanges, said tongue being adapted to engage theflap of the carton to be opened and peel it from the opening as thecarton is passed between said flanges.

WILLIAM J. ROCERETA.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 948,392 Dougherty Feb. 8, 19101,029,573 Ferrall et a1. June 11, 1912 1,349,511 Kandl'oinder Aug. 10,1920 1,825,840 Winton Oct. 6, 1931 1,931,697 Hill Oct. 24, 1933

